The Tourism Development Fund concluded its participation in the World Travel Market in London, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism hub, having highlighted the vast investment opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism sector, a TDF press release said.

Over the course of the event, TDF engaged with top industry leaders, investors, and decision-makers from around the world to attract high-value foreign investments that align with the National Tourism Strategy and support Saudi Vision 2030.

As part of the Saudi Land pavilion, TDF showcased a diverse range of current and future projects boosting the Kingdom’s tourism sector, and highlighted its suite of innovative financing solutions and investment incentives.

These efforts were crowned with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Dusit International, which focuses on developing luxury hospitality projects at key destinations across Saudi Arabia, offering guests unique and superior tourism experiences.

Throughout the event, TDF representatives provided in-depth briefings on the fund’s initiatives and achievements, and underscored TDF’s critical role in supporting tourism ventures and developing premier tourism destinations that align with Saudi Arabia’s long-term tourism vision.

The team also emphasized the significance of international collaboration, which is instrumental in building a sustainable tourism sector that benefits both investors and visitors.

In addition to promoting Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for tourism investments, TDF highlighted the Kingdom’s development to strategic partnerships in various sectors, particularly in hospitality and leisure tourism.

It reiterated its commitment to backing high-impact projects that will help achieve the Saudi Vision 2030 target of increasing the contribution of tourism to the national economy.

According to TDF, its participation in the World Travel Market is the culmination of its continuous efforts to make Saudi Arabia a top destination for tourism investment. It also reaffirms the fund’s commitment to supporting sustainable projects that expand the tourism offerings and services available to both visitors and investors, in line with the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global tourism powerhouse.

Prince Talal bin Muhammad, deputizing for King Abdullah II, honored the awardees of the 2023 and 2024 King Hussein Cancer Research Award, in the presence of Princess Ghida Talal, chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center.

In her speech, Princess Ghida said: “We established the King Hussein Cancer Research Award with a specific goal in mind: to launch Arab scientific initiatives that will be the cornerstone for regional advancement, and lessen our reliance on Western research. Tonight, we celebrate Arab scientists and researchers who have excelled in cancer research, honoring them as symbols of perseverance, creativity and innovation.”

Thirteen Arab medical scientists from across the world were selected from a pool of 472 researchers from more than 20 countries, in recognition of their influential contributions to cancer research.

2024 winners: Lifetime Achievement Awardees were Prof. Mohamad Mohty from Saint Antoine Hospital in France (International track), and Prof. Randah Hamadeh from Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain (Regional track). The Young Investigator Awardees included Dr. Bishoy Faltas from Weill Cornell School of Medicine in the US (International track) and Dr. Mohammad Abufaraj from the University of Jordan in Jordan (Regional track), and the Promising Researcher Grantees were Dr. Ola Sabet from the Children Cancer Hospital 57357 in Egypt and Dr. Adhari Al-Zaabi from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.

2023 winners: Lifetime Achievement Awardees were Dr. Toni Choueiri from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the US (International track) and Prof. Ali Shamseddine from the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon (Regional track). The Young Investigator Awardees included Prof. Hatem Azim from Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico (International track) and Dr. Yacoub Yousef from KHCC in Jordan (Regional track), and the Promising Researcher Grantees were Dr. Hadeel Halalsheh from KHCC in Jordan and Dr. Hiba El-Hajj from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. KHCC’s Hospital Based Health Technology Assessment Program received the 2023 Academic Program Excellence award.

The awards ceremony was attended by the award’s board of directors, which includes leading doctors, researchers, and oncologists from across the world, media figures, partners, and sponsors.